A Day On The Water

Today I was off to update my Paddling Coaching awards - so I was attending the SCA Coaching Matters update day at Firbush on Loch Tay. I had a chance to drive through Glencoe early in the morning, and saw a few of the early climbing teams setting off up towards the higher Glencoe crags. The conditions looked good, light winds, high clouds and low temperatures.

With a van full of paddling kit I kept driving, destined for a day on the water - which was actually a great day. As I drove back through Glencoe, the winterised crags were still there, and many of the climbing teams cars were still there in the laybys as the light faded - hopefully they got winter product.

Loch Tay

Number 4 Gully

The team heading up to the snow

The Jagged Globe Mountaineering team had their last day on Friday and it was their first day on the North Side of the Ben. We headed for a grade 1 gully - Number 4. This would be a good test for the team - they only put crampons on for the first time on Monday.

Getting geared up in Coire na Ciste

Again we were lucky to have the great weather, and so we spent the day enjoying the views. There were a lot of other teams about, but mostly high on the ice.

Dave, Freya and Sharon on their way up

The team looked a lot more relaxed on the steeper slopes, compared to their first steep slope on Monday. It didn't take long for them to improve.

Number 4 Gully in the distance

Some big cornice cracks at the top of Number 4 gully

Dave

Dave was loving it as he battled through the calf pain on the way to the top. His knee held out well this week, and he managed a quick walk back to the van.

Freya

Freya is now ready for the intermediate course next year - Winter Mountaineering - where she can get into the grade II's and III's.

Sharon

After 2 weeks, Sharon is finding it a breeze and she intends to walk up the tourist path on Saturday to make best use of the fine weather - not even a day off after 2 weeks.

The end of a great week

Thank you to the team for a great week, and a good way to finish the season. However there is still lots to do on the Ben, so what'll it be for me next week - rock shoes or winter boots?